England have done what they’ve had to do. They have taken West Indies scalps in all the international games played so far, and done it without much fuss and with much professionalism. Whether this is a harbinger of good times ahead, who knows, but the team certainly feels better than it did under Moores, and players have shown that they are willing to grasp opportunities. Beating West Indies by 10 wickets and an innings and change in the tests was all they could do. It is all right to say that it is like preparing for a marathon by walking to the shops, but you can only do what you have to. The West Indies clearly didn’t want to be here, their captain had a strop about it, and the tone was set.

The good points from Durham – Cook made a 150 for the first time, but will be kicking himself for getting out when a double was there. You get precious few chances to do it, and this was a golden chance. Bopara completed his third century in a row (after three ducks in a row) but fell foul of the bane of my life – small tonitis. Go on and get the really big one when it is there, Ravi. He has the number three slot nailed down now for at least until he comes a cropper in the first three tests. Jimmy Anderson bowled very well, and is now an automatic choice for the team (but with this responsibility comes a need for him to step up in the next series), while Prior showed that the batting side of his job is really not an issue. Swann and Broad did little to harm their reputations, and Collingwood did what he can do – look good when everyone else does! The important thing about this win was that the vibes were good and England finished off the job, and they did it without Freddie, or a significant contribution from KP.

And then KP got an Achilles injury, and England went into the one day series without either of their two talismans. In their place Prior moved up to number three and impressed, while a debut was given to Eoin Morgan who had little chance to make an impression. The first game was won with the ball, as England skittled out West Indies for a meagre total at Bristol – Broad taking the honours – and chasing them down with the minimum of fuss. At Edgbaston, England’s top four all scored 49 or over, and set the WIndies 329 to win, which they never looked like getting. Good wins they may have been, but I’m not engraving any names on 20/20 trophies etc. just yet.

I fear that this blog will be quiet for a little bit as I can’t get enthused about domestic 20/20 fixtures, am not really interested in the World 20/20 competition at the moment, and the Ashes seems a way away. However, you never know your luck, and who knows, another reason to discuss Lara and Tendulkar may present itself.